CEBU, Philippines – Deputy House Speaker for Luzon Lorenzo Tañada 111 said that the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms will soon deliberate his bill that would prohibit elected officials from accepting appointive positions.
Tañada, author of House Bill number 319, said that if this will be made into law, it would spare the government from unnecessary spending for election expenses.
“Kasi pinili ka ng tao for such position tapos mag- resign ka in order to accept another government post,” Tañada said in a press conference the other day.
He said that this is especially true for congressional posts wherein the rule on succession is not applicable.
“Like in a case sa congressman, if he accepts an appointive post, walang succession yan. So ang mangyayari, there will be a special election to fill-in the vacated post. Gastos na naman,” he said.
Tañada was in Cebu to speak about reform agenda of the Aquino administration, which includes budget tightening.
Tañada said that the country is expected to incur a budget deficit of P340 billion at the end of the year. (FREEMAN)